Just transitions to a net-zero sustainable society in Japan

Japan is one of the highest-emitting nations globally, yet has faced criticism for its slow progress in reducing its emissions and moving towards a sustainable and zero-carbon society. To date, there has also been limited scholarly and policy attention to how Japan's climate change response might affect different regions of the country differently - especially rural areas that might be expected to take up the bulk of new renewable energy infrastructure or industrial regions whose workforces rely on jobs in high-emitting sectors such as steel and power generation. The aim of this project is to review existing research and develop scenarios for a just transition in Japan, giving a geographical view on a just response to climate change imperatives for the country.

Dr Leslie Mabon, Open University; Dr Andrew Chapman, Kyushu University; Professor Benjamin McLellen, Kyoto University